AIA Official approves of proposed Congressional budget.
Press Release Summary:
President Obama submitted proposed budget for fiscal 2010 which, according to AIA's Marion Blakey, provides sound foundation for national defense, space exploration, and modernizing U.S. air transportation system. At total of $3.55 trillion, budget allocates $533.7 billion to DoD as well as $800 million for FDA's NextGen program. It also provides $18.7 billion for NASA and $1.3 billion to fund development/acquisition of NOAA weather satellites and climate sensors.
Original Press Release:
Budget Proposal Solid for Defense, Space, Civil Aviation
Arlington, Va. - The proposed budget for fiscal 2010 President Obama submitted to Congress Thursday provides a sound foundation for national defense, space exploration and modernizing the U.S. air transportation system, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said.
The $3.55 trillion budget includes responsible top line totals for the Defense Department and NASA and makes good investments in other aerospace-related areas, Blakey said.
"In this remarkably difficult economic atmosphere, we are encouraged to see a budget proposal that recognizes the importance of our national security and invests in space and aviation priorities," Blakey said. "Congress should use this proposal as the blueprint to follow when crafting the final fiscal 2010 budget."
The proposal does not include budget details, and Blakey said the real effects on the aerospace and defense industry would not be apparent until specifics emerge.
Aerospace-related highlights include of the proposal:
DoD - Provides a $533.7 billion top line, a 4 percent increase over the fiscal 2009 level. The budget proposal also includes $75.5 billion in supplemental funding for fiscal 2009 and $130 billion for fiscal 2010 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
FAA - Invests approximately $800 million in the NextGen air transportation system modernization program. This represents significant - and much-needed - investment in the program.
NASA - Funds overall budget at $18.7 billion, a $1.4 billion increase over the enacted fiscal 2008 budget. NASA's top line also got a $1 billion boost in the recently passed stimulus bill. The proposal affirms the administration's commitment to space exploration, calling for a return to the moon by 2020, completing the International Space Station and retiring the space shuttle by 2010 with an additional mission if it can be completed safety by that deadline. While a total amount for aeronautics research and development was not included in the proposal, it states that NASA will "renew its commitment to cutting-edge, fundamental research in traditional and emerging disciplines."
NOAA - Includes $1.3 billion to fund the development and acquisition of weather satellites and climate sensors.
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Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.
